www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile operator, had posted a subscriber base of 98 million at the end of March, as its subscriber base in Iran surpassed the number of subscribers in South Africa.
MTN, at Q1′09-end, reported a subscriber base of slightly more than 98.2 million, up 8% from Q4′08.
“Strong subscriber growth continues to be a feature in almost all countries in which we operate,” the Johannesburg-based company said.
MTN’s subscriber base in Iran rose to 18.3 million, up 14% in Q1′09 and to 2.4 million in Afghanistan, up 12%. In Nigeria the subscriber base totaled to 25.9 million, a growth of 12% whereas South Africa subscriber base grew by 2% to 17.4 million.

On the other hand, ARPU in every market dropped, driven by volatility in currency. South African ARPU fell 6% from December to 139 rand ($16.70), while in Nigeria it was 23% lower at $13 and in Iran 7% lower at $8, the company said.